On April 8, Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks hosted the Fourth Annual Sprouts Cookbook Awards. This fundraiser for the Cultch and celebration of the arts, excellence in culinary writing and fine food was jumpstarted by titillating readings of Lorna Crozier's The Sex Lives of Vegetables by local actress Joy Coghill.

Throughout the jovial evening, Books to Cooks staffers Carol Watterson and Barb Wong circulated the room with delectable hors d'oeuvres including a zesty papri chat and savoury samosas catered by Vikram Vij and Meeru Dhalwala. Our own Mark Holmes prepared an indulgent selection of Brussels sprouts delicacies from Tender Volume 1 by Nigel Slater.

As guests raised a glass, artist Robert Chaplin presented his coveted sterling silver Brussels Sprouts Award to this year's People's Choice Sprouts winner, Matthew Stowe, for his most deserving book, The Tastes of Sonora Resort.

While guests enjoyed good cheer, Laura Nairn spearheaded raffle ticket sales with all proceeds benefiting the Cultch.

The mirthful evening was capped off with Lawren Moneta's version of passionfruit ice cream from The Tastes of Sonora Resort served in darling handmade cones.